Katich double ton boosts Lancashire

Simon Katich's superb double century put Lancashire on the front foot in their top-of-the-table clash with LV= County Championship Division Two leaders Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

The former Australia batsman made exactly 200 before he was last man out as the Red Rose made 442, with Northants on 123 for four at the close, still trailing by nine runs.

Marcus North took three wickets as Glamorgan looked to force a result against Hampshire at Cardiff.

After declaring on 300 for six - with opener Gareth Rees completing his hundred - despite a first-innings deficit of 41, North picked up three scalps as Hampshire limped to 166 for eight before the close of play.

Chris Dent's 153 and Alex Gidman's unbeaten 145 helped Gloucestershire to 348 for three after they had won the toss on the opening day of their encounter with Kent at Cheltenham.